Monthly Archives: September 2015

Fall has officially arrived – and while you keep warm with cozy sweaters and scarves, there’s another way to heat things up this autumn. Spices are a great way to bring warmth during the cooler fall months. Although they add a delicious flair to your dinner (and pumpkin lattes), spices also make extremely effective skin care ingredients. It’s true – the answers to your skin concerns have been hidden in your pantry all along!

Below are 4 skin-saving spices and how they hail as beauty saviors:

1. Paprika

Paprika is packed with Vitamins A and C to help reduce free radical damage. Its amazing antibacterial properties make it an effective ingredient for treating problem skin as it helps to clear blemish-causing bacteria. It’s also rich in antioxidant beta carotene which has the ability to increase cell turnover and regeneration in the outer layers of the skin.

Like running, exercising or sitting in a sauna, the heat from the paprika increases circulation to the skin, bringing fresh blood to the skin’s surface to help the complexion look radiant. This activity in blood flow also increases the oxygen intake of the skin cells which means that every product applied will absorb better, giving you even more amazing results.

Staying in the night before a big event? Try our Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot. The stimulating effects will warm on the skin and leave a rosy glow (for up to 45 minutes) after it’s been rinsed off. Rest assured that your skin will look refreshed and revitalized in time for your social gathering.

2. Cinnamon

When applied topically, cinnamon warms the skin, bringing blood and nutrients to its surface. It contains antimicrobial properties to help eliminate the look of problem skin while it also aids in the removal of dead skin cells. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help to enhance the complexion’s appearance, restoring luster and suppleness to the skin.

Trying to get rid of unsightly cellulite? Firm, hydrate and tone the body and decrease the appearance of cellulite with our Cinnamon Paprika Body Lotion.

3. Clove

From pesky pimples to a pretty pout, clove oil is the perfect prescription!

When applied topically to the skin, its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make it effective in removing the bacteria that causes blemishes. It also helps reduce and eliminate the look of inflammation often caused by breakouts, helping you get your clear complexion back.

Like cinnamon, you may notice a tingling sensation when using clove oil. When applied to the lips, this sensation causes them to swell up and look fuller, giving you visibly fuller lips without a trip to the plastic surgeon. Take caution, though – clove oil is super potent when used on its own. We recommend our Cinnamon Kiss Lip Plumper, which includes the perfect blend of ingredients to plump up the lips and give them a luminous shine!

4. Ginger

Think of how you eat ginger to cleanse the palate after a sushi lunch or another multi-course meal. Ginger, an effective antiseptic, also has that cleansing effect on the skin, keeping its appearance smooth and free of blemishes by clearing bacteria that causes breakouts.

Containing approximately 40 antioxidant properties, ginger also provides anti-aging benefits like preventing free radical damage and improving the look of skin elasticity, for firm and youthful appearance. These benefits can be achieved by both ingesting and applying ginger topically for a double dose of powerful antioxidant action!

It’s no secret that at any given time, everyone has at least one skin problem. Maybe you’re hiding the chaos under makeup. Perhaps you stay in during the peak of your skin crises. Whichever way you’re coping – like all of us – you’re probably suffering through a growing list of ongoing and new issues with your complexion.

Curious to see if you can troubleshoot your skin? You can. And we have a list of the best natural ingredients to fix them. Here’s our collection of major skin issues and our favorite plants and fruits for resolving your worst problems:

PROBLEM: SAGGING SKIN
FIX: ACAI BERRY

Similar to coconuts, acai berries are an antioxidant dynamo. One of the best natural ingredients for your skin, this fruit from Central and South America comes chock full of vitamin A, C and E antioxidants. It stops free radicals from breaking down your skin and causing all the damage associated with aging. And not only does acai put a check to the destruction, it promotes elasticity in your skin and helps cells regenerate (Stylecraze).

PROBLEM: WRINKLES
FIX: GOJI BERRY

Another natural ingredient that’s good for your skin, these tiny berries pack a big punch in anti-aging properties. An important part of the Chinese diet for millennia, this magic fruit is known to improve eye sight, strengthen the immune system and stimulate circulation. For skin care, goji berries increase your antioxidant and growth hormone levels which help smooth out those tiny lines and wrinkles on your face (beautyandgroomingtips.com).

PROBLEM: UNEVEN SKIN TONE
FIX: LICORICE ROOT
Another popular ingredient which hails from China, licorice root is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. The root contains an ingredient called glabridin which lightens skin by blocking an enzyme that causes damaged skin to darken (Livestrong).

PROBLEM: IRRITATED SKIN
FIX: CHAMOMILE

Just as a cup of chamomile tea soothes the soul, a topical application of chamomile extract goes far to calm the skin. If you suffer from skin prone to irritation, redness or even itchiness, chamomile relieves the complexion and promotes skin which appears in balance and at its best.

PROBLEM: BREAKOUTS
FIX: TOMATO

The trendiest new natural ingredient for problem skin, the common tomato is packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that can lower acne-causing hormones (Chatelaine). Not only do you want this delicious fruit on your menu, you also want to apply tomato extracts topically. The antioxidants prevent DNA damage to your skin and promotes collagen production, leading to less wrinkles and smoother skin (Huffington Post).

Summer’s been a blast. You’ve enjoyed countless BBQs, sunny patio cocktails and late summer nights filled with friends, fun and delicious food. And although you’ve relished every second of your summertime pleasures, there’s no denying that your warm weather indulgences have taken their toll on your body (notably, your skin).

So before you slip into your forgiving fall scarves and cozy sweaters, we have a few tips for you to heal, repair and detox your body just in time for the change in seasons.

To reverse summer damage, we recommend bringing your complexion back to balance with Éminence products rich in detoxifying ingredients like citrus, leafy greens, spices (paprika) and charcoal. Below are a few product recommendations from consumer and industry publications:

3. Drink more water

Water hydrates your skin from the inside out while lemon juice helps with detoxification. This simple combo also helps alkalize your body and boosts digestion.Sipping on frozen margaritas, cool wheat ales and chilled rosés are just a few of the ways that you satisfied your thirst this past summer. Although these tasty beverages are refreshing as they’re going down, the after-effects are not as pleasant. Not only is alcohol dehydrating, summer cocktails are often loaded with sugar and other additives that cause inflammation. To counteract the negative effects of alcohol, there’s a simple solution: drink more water. Take a break from cocktails and replace them with plenty of water (lemon water for the best results). Water hydrates your skin from the inside out while lemon juice helps with detoxification. This simple combo also helps alkalize your body and boosts digestion. (PopSugar).

4. Sweat it out and Rest it out

Exercise and sleep. These are two simple things that you can do to restore and detox your body post-summer. Exercise increases blood flow and allows you to sweat out toxins naturally, while a good sleep is critical to maintaining your body’s metabolic equilibrium (Daily Mail UK). According to Body Lab, “irregular or inadequate sleep can profoundly alter circadian rhythms and compromise or impede these important detoxification pathways in the liver”. The takeaway – fit in a solid sweat-sesh several times a week and at least 7-8 hours a sleep every night to keep your body’s natural detoxification systems operating at full capacity.

This post was written by Christie Pike from Eminence Organics.
You can find their blog here

Endless summer is doing exactly what it said it wouldn’t – it’s ending. And in addition to misleading you with false promises, this summer probably inflicted major damage to your face and body as well. It’s finally time to shake the beach out of your hairdo, and survey the wreckage of summer. Here are the worst offenders of summertime skin damage and how to repair:

POOL PARTIES

Chlorine (and salt water, if you’re a beach bunny) tends to strip away oil from the skin, leaving your post-summer complexion parched and dry (Health.com). The end of summer is the perfect time to treat your skin with a replenishing masque to rehydrate your complexion. If you’re suffering from too much sun and dry skin, our Blueberry Soy Repair Masque uses shea butter to provide the deep moisture you need.

Don’t forget – all that swimming has left you dehydrated so keep your whole body rehydrated with plenty of water. Down those eight glasses a day and keep your moisture levels topped up.

SUN, SUN, SUN

Have you noticed age spots and freckles materializing on your nose and cheeks? Your skin protects itself from the damaging effects of the sun by increasing a skin pigment called melanin. That means sun spots, uneven pigmentation and freckles (Mayo Clinic). If you want to reduce the aging appearance of these pigment spots, use a skin care product like our Bright Skin Masque with a natural hydroquinone alternative. Its natural ingredients brighten the skin and fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Also, protect yourself for the remaining days of summer by wearing a product with SPF and the best option: a large hat.

LATE NIGHTS

With the sun setting late, you’ve probably pushed your regular bedtime later as well. Midnight hours and summer shindigs may have left unsightly dark circles under your eyes. Now that summer’s winding down, this is a good time to reset your body clock with full nights of sleep. Snoozing eight hours daily will go a long ways to eliminate those raccoon eyes that have been plaguing you all summer.

Want to do more to pamper your peepers? Try our Wild Plum Eye Cream to reduce the look of dark circles under your eyes.

SWEAT & BACTERIA

Heat, sweat and bacteria are the unwelcome trio of summer skin nightmares. All three factors trapped together create the perfect environment for problem skin. If this summer has set off unpleasant skin issues, now’s the time to tackle them. Make sure you cool off quickly, change your clothes frequently and keep your skin clean. Plus, target your problem skin with our Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum and Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser to clarify the look of your complexion and leave your summer sorrows behind.

This post was written by Karen Young Chester from Eminence Organics.
You can find their blog here